Disney spreads cheer in North Korea?

North Korea’s new young leader, Kim Jon-un, may be hoping to spread a little magic over his nation of 24 million people with help from Mickey Mouse.

State-run television on Monday reportedly showed footage of the costumed characters dancing in front of Kim amid an audience of clapping generals, according to the New York Times. The newspaper reports:

The footage also showed Mr. Kim in a black Mao suit watching as Mickey Mouse conducted a group of young women playing violins in skimpy black dresses. At times, scenes from the animated Disney movies Dumbo and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were projected on a multipanel screen behind the entertainers; an article in the state-run press said unnamed foreign songs were on the bill.

The appearance of the characters from the United States, North Korea’s enemy, was remarkable fare on tightly controlled North Korean television, which usually shows more somber and overtly political programs. A Disney spokeswoman, Zenia Mucha, had no comment Monday beyond a statement: “This was not licensed or authorized by the Walt Disney Co.”

The Kim family, however, does seem to have a special affinity for Disney, according to the New York Times.

In 2001, the current leader’s older brother, Kim Jong-nam, was detained by the Japanese authorities while trying to enter Japan on a Dominican Republic passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland, the paper reported.